Mahura: Know How To Make One Of Lord Jagannath's 56 Bhogs
Image Credit: Source: Image by Roumyaj Pradhan

With a special place in every Odia’s heart, Mahura is a subtly-tasting curry made with humble spices, vegetables and coconut. Being one of the exclusive traditional dishes of Odisha, Mahura is filled with nutrients and is low in calories. Served as one of the 56 dishes (Chhappan Bhog), Mahura is prepared without onion and garlic. 

Preparaion time- 15-20 minutes

Cooking time- 20-25 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  ½ cup pumpkin

  2 raw bananas

  2 potatoes

  2 eggplants

  ½ cup yam

  8 badi (dried rice and lentil dumplings)

  3-4 arums

  3-4 pointed gourds

  1 sweet potato

  1 cup grated coconut

  1 cup overnight soaked and boiled black chana

  2 bay leaves

  2 dried red chillies

  2 tbsp ghee

  1 tsp panch phoran

  1 tbsp mustard seeds

  1 tbsp fennel seeds

  1 tbsp cumin seeds

  A pinch of asafoetida

  An inch of ginger

  1 tbsp turmeric powder

  1 tbsp sugar

  Salt, according to taste

METHOD

1. Wash and cut all the veggies into medium-sized cubes. 

2. Boil them with salt, sugar and turmeric till they are half-cooked.

3. Add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, ginger and red chilli and grind them into a smooth paste. 

4. When the veggies are semi-boiled, add the masala paste and the boiled chana and cook for 5 more minutes. 

5. For tempering, add ghee into a hot pan. Add the asafoetida, bay leaves, panch phoran and red chillies. 

6. Finally, pour the tempered spices, add the badis and garnish with the grated coconut to serve. 

Mahura is generally served as a side dish along with long-grained rice, dal and saag. You can have it with rice and roti as well.